11th-hour attempt to save commissions falls flat in Connecticut

Donna Haghighat, American Association of University Women CT Co-President

Donna Haghighat, American Association of University Women CT Co-President

Photo: Contributed Photo

Photo: Contributed Photo

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Donna Haghighat, American Association of University Women CT Co-President

Donna Haghighat, American Association of University Women CT Co-President

Photo: Contributed Photo

11th-hour attempt to save commissions falls flat in Connecticut

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Advocates held a press conference Wednesday to denounce plans by Democratic legislative leaders and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to consolidate six legislative commissions into two. But their concerns went largely ignored due to the size of the state’s budget problem.

Under the budget released late Tuesday, the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, Children’s Commission, and Aging Commission would be consolidated under one umbrella, while the African American Affairs Commission, Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission, and Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission would be under another.

The consolidation plan was put forth by Democratic leaders in an effort to help close a nearly $1 billion budget gap in 2017. The consolidation saves the state about $714,000.

However, advocates called the plan “regressive” and offensive to suggest that women’s issues are more deeply intertwined with those of children and aging populations.

“While some budget cuts may be necessary, we think that these commissions should be allowed to continue to work independently so as to best represent the interests of their constituents,” advocates said in a statement.

Judy Tabar, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, said “These commissions were created decades ago, precisely to guarantee that the voices of disenfranchised individuals and communities were not only heard at the State Capitol, but were also recognized as critical to preserving the equitable, tolerant society we value in Connecticut.’’

Tabar continued: “Consolidating these commissions is a step in the wrong direction for our state. The savings seen as a result of merging the commissions would be minimal, while the lost voices of these increasingly important constituencies would be immeasurable.’’